Saturday, January 10, 2026

Are the 21 Taras Dakinis?

You can see some of the 21 Taras in the poster below. For some reason I only count  15 Taras so the rest must be hidden. I recently bought one of these Thankas (posters) and what was interesting is that it came from Ukraine which I was sort of fascinated by. So, I guess there are Tibetan Buddhists now everywhere on earth because of the Dalai Lama traveling the world and giving teaching for so long so many many places over the years

begin quotes:

Tara, the Saviour, and Vajrayogini the Sarvabuddhadakini ...
Yes, the 21 Taras are considered manifestations or aspects of the Wisdom Dakini in Tibetan Buddhism, embodying different energies and activities of compassion and wisdom, often practiced together as a powerful set of emanations to overcome obstacles and fulfill wishes, particularly during Dakini Days. 
Key Connections:
  • Tara as Dakini: Tara, especially in her earlier forms, was considered a Dakini, a sky-goer embodying enlightened feminine energy and primordial wisdom.
  • Embodiment of Energy: The 21 Taras are different forms (peaceful, wrathful, etc.) that collectively represent the diverse activities and qualities of the Dakini and all Buddhas, explains this Facebook post.
  • Tantric Practice: The "Praise of the 21 Taras" is a core Vajrayana practice, often performed on Dakini Day (the 25th of the lunar month) to invoke their protective and wish-fulfilling energies, notes this Facebook post and this article from Dzokden. 

In essence: You can think of Tara as a powerful Wisdom Dakini who manifests in 21 distinct ways (the 21 Taras) to assist beings, notes this Facebook post and this article from Enlightenment Thangka. 
  • Dolma) is Dakini of boundless compassion and she ... - Facebook
    Oct 16, 2025 — Dakini day Dakinis embody the female aspect of Buddha Energy and symbolize primordial wisdom. They appeared in many fo...
    Facebook
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Dive deeper in AI Mode

  • Emanations of Mother Tara and The Wisdom Dakini
    May 7, 2021 — As the embodiment of enlightened energy, Tara and the Wisdom Dakini are not separable. The Tibetan terms referenced to ...
    Enlightenment Thangka
  • The Legend of Tara: From the Dakini to the Bodhisattva of Compassion
    Aug 1, 2024 — Prior to her revered status as Bodhisattva, Tara was a Dakini; in Tibetan Buddhism or Tantra of the Vajrayana tradition...
    Termatree
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